The Milford branch of the Registry of Motor Vehicles is one of six Massachusetts locations that will open an hour later, at 9 a.m., beginning next month.

According to state transportation officials, the 8 a.m. openings, introduced in 2010, weren’t as successful with customers as they had hoped.

The new hours begin Monday, Sept. 9. The other branches switching hours are Worcester, Brockton, Lawrence, Springfield and Taunton.

“The adjustment is in response to customer behavior and the Registry’s ongoing efforts to better serve our customers,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian. “Traffic in our branches continues to be heaviest late into the afternoon; this move will help guarantee staffing levels more closely match customer demand throughout the day.”

All the branches, including Milford, will have new alternative service hours on Thursdays when the office will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is the first time Milford has had service hours past 5 p.m.

The change comes after a state plan was announced last month to close the Milford branch as part of an effort to modernize and economize the department. The plan did not include imminent closings at any branch and any changes are years away, according to a Registry spokeswoman.

At the time, state Sen. Richard Moore and state Rep. John Fernandes both came out against the plan, saying it doesn’t make sense to close one of the busiest registries in the area and force customers to travel to regional centers.

Fernandes said he spoke with the Registrar about the hours change and isn’t sure how the switch at the Milford branch will affect service for his constituents.

“This is such a management-type decision that it’s hard for me to criticize,” Fernandes said. “She had instituted the 8 a.m., but now feels it’s stretching their physical manpower too thin. With some recent cutbacks, she’s trying to be more efficient.”

While Fernandes said the change will affect people looking for earlier service, he said he believes Kaprielian is just trying to get things done more efficiently.

Contact Lindsay Corcoran at 508-634-7582 or lcorcoran@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @LacorcMDN.